Means for forming flanges on can bodies



March 1927.

29 R. o. wlLsoN ET AL MEANS FOR FORMING FLANGES ON CAN BODIES Filed May 12. 1925 3 .Sheets-Sheet 1 @HmmmMMWWWHWWW M,

March 29, 1927. 1,622,558

, I R. O. WILSON ET AL MEANS FOR FORMING FLANGES N CAN BODIES Filed 'May l2. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheetz ||||ll||llll ll *6v l. f

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March 29, 1927.

1,622,558 R. O. WILSON ET 'AL MEANS Fox` PoRMiNe FLANGES oN CAN BODIES 'iled May. 12. 1925 3 sheets-Sheets Patented Mar. Z9, 1927.`

UNITED STATES PATENT RAY 0. WILSON AND ARTHUR D. SUMNER, O LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

MEANS FOR FORMING FLANGES 0N CAN BODIES.

Application filed May 12, 1925.

This invention relates to the manufacture of sheet metal vcans and especially pertains to `he formation of the end flanges on can bod/ies, vwhich flanges are employed in forming a double seam connection between `the can body (and can ends or caps, and `while it .is adaptedr to the handling" of the smaller sizesofcan bodies it has been designed more particularly for operation upon can bodies off larger diameters` such as are used` inthe manufacture `of gallon cans.

Means heretofore employed in `can body flanging operations have resuted in the splitting of a large percentage of -anges during formation and in buckling of the sides of the can bodies' to the forcible engagement of the flange-forming means `with the entire rim of the can body in effecting simultaneous formation of the entire flange or: because of too abrupt bending of the met-a1 wherethe flange is formed' by a rolling action.y

The .chief object of they present invention is to-oyercome these difficulties and to insure the formation or perfect flanges and without subjecting the can bodies toy undue strainsand too sudden turningof the metal.

Another object isto so form flanges that there will be no splitting thereof during the subsequent' crimping or double seaming operation employed in attaching can tops to the can bodies.

A further object, which is attained as a natural result',` is to reduce the cost of production.

Briefly. the operation consists in formation of the flanges by a: progressive, rolling operation whereby flange formation proceeds steadily and gradually from stage to stage. In the apparatus rotary Hanging die is employed the axis of which is disposed at a slight angle to the `axis o'tl the can body being worked so as to operate upon a short section only of the canbody rim at any .instant. and means are .provided for rotating the Hanging die to form the flange pro-v gressively and for advancing the Hanging die to enlarge the flange progressively in a gra dual: manner.

The invention resides in the new and useful: combinationand arrangement of parts and features of Construct-ion and in the features and methods of operation indicated in the drawings` described generally hereinafter and painted lout inthe claims, it being Serial No. 29,701.

understood that the invention is limited vonly as defined by the claims.

ln the accompanying drawings. wherein certain embodiments are disclosed by way of illustration y Figure 1 is a view partially in elevation and partially in vertical section showing a flange forming' machine .embodying .the invention; v y

Figure 2 is a` crossv section.taken .approximately on the line 2-2 of Figure Vl vas seen in the direction indicated by the arrows;4

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional detail vthrough the Hanging die' and the mounting thereof; Y v

Figure 4t is a profi-le of the advancing] and retracting` portions of a cam which aoktuates the Hanging dies and illustratingdiagrammatically the progress of the can body rela'- tively thereto; f

Figure 5 represents a can body inpori'gin'afl form;

'Figure G indicates the initial' application ,of a Hanging die to the can body by the first zone portion* of thecam of Figure 4;

Figure 7 indicates on an vexagfuerated scale the commencement of the first operation in the formation. of the flange under influence of the second zone of the cam;

'Figure v8 indicates the position of the Hanging' die in the can for performing the initial flange forming operationy indicated inv Figure 7 Figure 9 shows on an exaggerated k scale the can body having` a flange as` partly formed entirely therearound inthe first operation by the second zone of the cam and also showing a portion of the completed flange as formed by the second operation in the formation of vtheflanges as occurs in the .f

third Zone of the cani:

Figure l0 indicates the position of the Hanging die in. operation upon the can under influence of the third' zone of the cam;

Figure 11 shows aoan 4body with the com'- pleted flange on an exaggerated scale after the second operation thereon by the Hangingvdie under influence of thethird zone and of the fourth zone ofthe cam. which last mentioned zone is employed for insuring com ypl'etion ofthe flange; and A Figure 12 indicates the removal. ofthe ilangii'ig die from the can under influence of the fifth of the cam.-

ln the drawings tho apparatus is shown as supported upon a base and as including a pair of horizontally slidable standards 16 and 17 working in guides 18 and movable toward and away from each other by means of a right and left screw 19 which is turnably supported in a b rring l) and held against longitudinal movement by collars to; the screw being manually rotated to effect shifting of the standards as by means of a crank adapted to he placed upon a squared end 20 of said screw. The standards provided with hubs and 25, and wit-hin each of the hubs 25 and 26 there .is keyed at 28 a journal of a ean. and gear carrier 3l, each carrier beinfi` positioned within a protecting housing car ied by the respective standard 18 or 17. lVithin each journal 30 a bushing 34 is provided in which there is journalled the main drive shaft which is adapted to be drirei'i by gear 8G keyed at 37 on the outer end thereof.

Each carrier 31 is provided with an annie largear rack 4() and with an offset annular cam 42, these parts being held against rotation by the key 28. Adjacent each carrier 31, the shaft 35 has splined thereon at 44 the hub of a carrier 46 for the Hanging dies7 said hub being secured in position on the shaft 35 by means of a set screw 47 or the like. rlhe carrier 4G is in the formof a plurality of arms each of which is provided at its outer end with a sleeve 48 which receives a journal 50 splined at 51 and extend ing at one end beyond the sleeve 48 and carrying at one side a roller 52 mounted on an offset 53 to which it is secured by a screw 54, said roller 52 being positioned to travel in the cam 42 of the carrier 31. The journal 50 contains an adjustable bushing` 55 whose axis is canted or disposed at a slight angle with relation to the axis of rotation of the main shaft 35, said bushing 55 receiving a -Hanging die driving shaft 56. rlhe bushing` 55 is threaded intoY the journal 50, as indicated at 57 and is retained in said position `by means of a lock nut 58. by this means line adjustment of the flanging dies may be had. The end of shaft 55 project beyond the journal 50 in the forni of a reduced end 59 upon which there is keyed a pinion o0 which engages the yrear racli; 40 and is retained on said. reduced end 59 by means of a nut. Gl. The opposite end of the, Hanging die shaft 56 is enlarged, as indicated at 63 and` a lhrust bearing 64 is placed between said enlargement and the enlarged end of the bushing 55. Said enlargement 63 of the shaft 58 is provided with a squared recess which receives the squared offset 65 of the Hanging die 66 to insure driving of the die by rotation of the shaft 56, the Hanging die being secured to the shaft 56 by means of headed screw 67.

Mounted upon the middle of the main drive. shaft 85 between the -two Hanging die carriers 46 is a can body carrier embodying a plurality of can body receiif'ing` and positioning pockets TO, each of which is oil'- set at 71 and is secured by means of a countersunlt screw 72 to a saddle S carried by a hub T3 secured on the shaft 35 by means of a set screw 74. lilxtcn ding between each of the saddles S is circumferentially disposed portion T5 which provides a curved traen for rolling` engagement by a can body prepara tory to the latter-s dropping into one of the pockets il). The, can body C may be carried between the sides 77 of a holder such as indicated at 78. wljlich is mounted upon supporting rods 7S) carried on top of the housings 32. Olnf'iously, when a pocket 70 passes beneath the can body carrier T8 a can bod)7 C will drop into said pocket and the following can body during rotation ot the. pockets will then drop down upon thc track and travel t-herealong until thc next pocket 70 comes into positionf the can body being held against previous displacement by means of the sides T7 of the holder. rlhe lower part of the machine beneath the can body carriers 70 is provided with a discharge traclfr 80 which receives the can bodies after release by the Hanging dies 66 and discharges them, the lower end of said track being secured at 82 to a bracket 83.

Each of the flanging dies G6 is beveled to lll ill)

provide a frusto-conical guiding face 85 adapted t0 freely enter the open end of a can body; a short annular tread 86 adjoining said face 85 and having its face parallel vith the axis of the Hanging die. From the annular tread 86 a beveled annular flanging surface 87 extends outward from the axis of the Hanging die 6G formino' an outer annular llange 88.

ln the operation of the machine the can holder 78 will be supplied with can bodies C to be flanged, one of which can bodies will drop into the first can body receiving pocket 70 which is presented. In this position a Hanging die 8G is spared somewhat from each end of said can body C as indicated by the upper position of Figure l. As the shaft 85 is rotated throufijh the nu dium of the 3G the flaiiging dies lill are rotated by e `'agnunent of the pinions GO with the stationary raclr 4l). inasnunfh the Hanging die carriers -lt rotate willi the shaft 35. As rotation of the flangiiulY dic carriers 4G continues, the Hanging dies will be advanced axially toward and into the open ends of the can body C through engagement of the rollers 52 with the, stationary cams 42, this movement being permitted by reason of the splines 51 which position the journals 50 in the sleeves 48.

At the commencement of this movement, the first zone of the cam indicated in the showing of the cam profile of Figure 4,

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gagement with the ends will advance the Hanging die 66 into enof the can body (l. Inasmuch as the axes of the Hanging dies arecanted or disposed `at* slight angles to the axis of the drive shaft 35 and to the axis of the .can body C, engagement of the Hanging faces 87 of the Hanging dies 66 with the can body C will occur along short sections only of the ends of the can body, Thus, as rotation of the Hanging dies 66 continues and advancement of the Hanging dies 66 along their axes under inHuence of thev second zone of the cam continues, the Hanging operation on eac-h end of the can body will commence at a single point only as` indicated at 90 in Figures 7 and 8 and then continue progressively, the can rolling in its pocket by reason of engagement by the Hanging dies 66. At the end of the Hanging operation performed under influence of said second zone of the cam, a narrow Hange will have been formed entirely around each of the ends of the can body. As thel Hanging operations come under the inHuence of the third zone of the cam, enlargement or widening of the Hange will commence as indicated at 92, in Figures 9 and 10, and when the flange is completed under the inHuence of said third Zone the wide flange 92 will have been formed entirely around the end of each can. In order to insure complete formation of the Hange a straight fourth zone of the cam is provided so that ample opportunity will be provided for completion of the flange in event of any slippage or the like which might have occurred to prevent completion of the functions of either the second or third of the cam Zones atthe proper time. Upon completion of the Hange 92, the Hanging dies 66 are withdrawn from operative position by a fifth zone of the cam 42, as indicated in Figure 12. This operation permits the can body C to ride upon the track 8O and to be discharged from the machine thereby. The Hanging dies will then be held in .retracted position by said cam and again passed under the can holder 78 to receive another can body.

From the foregoing it will be clear that the can is Hanged progressively, a' relatively small Hange being rolled up at the beginning of the operation, this operation continuing more or less gradually from one stage to another, until the complete Hange has been formed. Completion is insured by the fourth zone of the cams as above mentioned. Thus perfect Hanges may be formed readily on can bodies of large diameters, whereas heretofore much difliculty has been experienced in attempts to prevent splitting of Hanges. By the present means and method the cost of production is materially decreased due to the practical elimination of loss from imperfectly formed cans.

Obviously, the Hanging'operation may be performed in many more stages than those indicated herein, in order to obtain the effect sought, if necessary or desirable. When it is desired to work upon cans of different sizes, can receiving pocket 70 of sizes to correspond to the size of the can body to lbe worked will be mounted in the saddle,

and Hanging dies to suit will be provided. The movable standards 16 and 17 may be' adjusted, carrying the gear and cam carrier 31 and the Hanger carrier 46 with it according to the length of the can body. kFine adjustment of the Hanging dies 66 may be then made through the medium of the threaded portions 57 of the bushings 55 and the lock nuts 58.

1.` In a can body Hanging machine, a pair of opposed Hanging dies adapted to engage a can body, the axes of the Hanging dies being canted with respect to the axis of the held can body, and means to rotate the Hanging dies whereby the ends of the can body are Hanged progressively from a starting point.

2. In a can body Hanging machine, a pair of opposed Hanging dies adapted to engage a can body, the axes of the Hanging dies being canted with respect to the axis of the can body, means to rotate the Hanging dies whereby the ends of the can body are flanged progressively from a starting point, and means to advance the Hanging dies whereby the flanges are enlarged progres- 1 sively.

3. In a can body Hanging machine, a can body seat, a pair of opposed Hanging dies adapted to engage a can body positioned in said seat, the axes of the Hanging dies being disposed out of alignment with the axis of the can body, and mea-ns to rotate the Hanging dies for .rolling engagement with short sections only at any instant for progressively Hanging the ends of the can body.

4. In a can body Hanging machine, a ro` tary can body seat, a pair of opposed Hanging dies adapted to engage the ends of a can body positioned in said seat, and having their' axes at slight angles to the axis of the can body, means for rotating said Hanging dies bodily with said seat, and means for rotating said Hanging dies on their axes when engaging the ends of the can body.

5. In a can body Hanging machine, a rotary can body seat, a pair of opposed Hang ing dies adapted to engage the ends of a can body positioned in said seat, and having their axes at slight angles to the axis of the can body, means for rotating said Hanging dies bodily with said seat, means for rotating said Hanging dies on their axes when engaging the can body ends, and means for shifting the Hanging dies longitudinally of their axes. u l

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6. ln a can body Hanging n'iaeliine, a rotary can body seat, a pair of opposed Hanging dies adapted to engage the ends oli a can body positioned in said seat, and having their axes at slight angles to the axis ot the can body, ineans tor rotating said Hanging dies bodily with said seat, means for rotating said Hanging dies on their axes when engaging the can body ends, said can body seat being removable and the supporting and actuating means for said Hanging dies being adjustable.

7. In a can body Hanging machine, a rotary body can seat, a pair of opposed Hanging dies adapted to engage the ends of a can body positioned in said seat, and having their axes at sli glit angles to the axis ol. the can body, means for rotating said Hanging dies on their axes when engaging the can body ends, means for shifting the Hanging dies longitudinally ot their axes, said can body seat being removable, and the supporting and actuating means for at least one of said Hanging dies being adjustable.

S. ln a van body Hanging apparatus, rotary means to position a can body, a pair of opposed Hanging dies bodily rotatable with the can body positioning means, rotary carriers 'for said Hanging dies, inountings in said carriers for the respective Hanging dies, means 'for moving said n'iounting axially to move the Hanging dies lo and from the can body, means to rotate said Hanging dies, said carriers and moving means and rotating means being adjustable axially, and means for adjusting the position of said Hanging dies with respect to said inountings.

9. ln can body Hanging apparatus, a rotary '['langing die carrier, a journal axially movable in said carrier, a shaft rotatably secured in said journal, means for adjusting said shaft axially, and a Hanging die oarried on said shaft, the axis of the shaft being ranted slightly with respect to the axis ol the carrier.

RAI O. lVILSON. ARTHUR D. SUMNER. 

